Although the Damascus armor was too heavy by a stone, we chose it, and employed an armorer to tighten a few nuts, and to adjust new straps to the shoulder plates and arm pieces.
We caused lists to be built outside the walls, and Max worked eight hours a day to harden himself.

He ran against me, against our squires, who were lusty big fellows, and now and then against Hymbercourt, who was a most accomplished knight.
Yolanda was prone to coax Max not to fight, and her fear showed itself in every look and gesture.

Her words, of course, could not have turned him, but her fears might have undermined his self-confidence.

So I pointed out to her the help he would get from encouragement, and the possible hurt he would take were her fears to infect him.

After my admonition, her efforts to be cheerful and confident almost brought tears to my eyes.